Mobile Computing

Mobile computing is the use of “a portable computing device such as a laptop, tablet, or smartphone” (The Computer Language Company, Inc., 2014, para. 1).  Pew Research Center’s research study indicated that 90 percent of American adults own a cell phone, 58 percent of American adults own a smartphone, 32 percent of American adults own an e-reader, and 42 percent of American adults own a tablet computer.  Mobile phones, either cell phones or smartphones, are used by 63 percent of American adults to access the Internet; whereas, the mobile phone is used the majority of the time to access the Internet by 34 percent of American adult mobile phone owners.  The majority of mobile phone owners uses their phones to send or receive text messages, access the Internet, send or receive email, download apps, or get directions.  (Pew Research Center, 2014)

Mobile devices have made it possible for people to work from anywhere or anytime they want to work.  Since the majority of companies only provide employees with desktop stations, employees are choosing to use their own mobile device for work.  A research study conducted by Intel on the use of mobile devices in the workplace indicated that 57 percent of mobile users are using notebooks in which 39 percent are using their personally owned notebook; 47 percent of mobile users are using smart phones in which 77 percent are using their personally owned smartphone; and 18 percent of mobile users are using tablets in which 61 percent are using their personally owned tablet.  (Intel Corporation, 2013)

With the increase of mobile devices, libraries will need to provide new services.  Libraries have added various mobile services for their mobile patrons, such as text messaging reference services, as well as library websites and library catalogs that are mobile friendly.  Libraries are also working to improve the mobile access to databases.  The surge in the use of e-books in libraries in 2011, along with the use of e-readers and e-reading apps, has forced libraries to improve their offering of e-books.  With the increase in the use of mobile devices and e-books, libraries will increase the loaning of mobile devices.  Therefore, libraries should incorporate training and skill development to use the various mobile services.  Strategic planning should also address mobile library services.  (Thomas, 2012)

According to the 2010 Mobile Library Survey, there are four obstacles to implementing mobile services.  These obstacles include “limited or low budget, competing priorities, overburdened library technologists and/or insufficient skills on site, and the overall perception that mobile services were not necessary” (Thomas, 2012, para. 17).  The use of mobile library website or a text messaging service will help to address the immediate needs of the library’s patrons.  Some of the emerging technologies that may have an impact on the future of libraries include mobile payment services, check-ins and gamification, social sharing, and augmented reality tours.  (Thomas, 2012)

References:

Daly, J. (2013). Mobile-devices-statistics-education-300. [Photograph]. Retrieved on May 4, 2004 from http://www.edtechmagazine.com/higher/article/2013/02/mobile-computing-just-became-third-digital-revolution-last-decade-infographic

Intel Corporation. (2013). Mobile computing trends: Insight in today’s workforce.  Retrieved from http://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/public/us/en/documents/case-studies/mobile-computing-trends-for-the-workforce-study.pdf

Pew Research Center. (2014). Mobile technology fact sheet. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/mobile-technology-fact-sheet/

The Computer Language Company, Inc. (2014). Definition of mobile computing.  Retrieved from http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/47137/mobile-computing

Thomas, L. C. (2012). The state of mobile in libraries 2012. Retrieved from http://www.thedigitalshift.com/2012/02/mobile/the-state-of-mobile-in-libraries-2012/